Aside

Contact

Skills

R
QGIS & ArcGIS
Python
Git
SQL
Bash

Languages

French
English
Spanish
Norwegian

Main

Benjamin Cretois

I am a currently working as a data scientist at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. My work focuses primarily on developing machine learning models to analyze camera traps images and sound records.

Professional Experience

Data Scientist

Norwegian Institute for Nature Research

Trondheim, Norway

Current - 2021

  • Using deep learning methods for image and sound classification
  • Supporting researchers in their analysis using statistics and machine learning methods

Sergeant in the French Navy (Marine infantry)

Marine Francaise

Brest, France

2013 - 2011

  • Leading and managing a team of 6 soldiers to secure military bases
  • Training for special forces (Commandos Marine)

Education

PhD in Spatial Data Analysis

Norwegian University of Science & Technology

Trondheim, Norway

2021 - 2018

  • Finding methods to improve the use of Citizen Science data
  • Managing master students’ projects
  • Teaching and building websites for statistic and GIS courses at the department of Geography

M.Sc., Environment and Law

Université de Rennes I

Rennes, France

2018 - 2016

  • Thesis: “The revival of wolves and other large carnivores and their impact on the livelihood of rural communities”
  • Basic of database management (Microsoft Access and SQL)

B.S., Ecology and Evolution

Université de Rennes I

Rennes, France

2016 - 2013

Infantry School of Lorient

French Navy

Lorient, France

2011 - 2011

  • Learning how to manage a team of soldiers
  • First aid, thinking in harsh conditions

Research Experience

Research Assistant

Norwegian Institute for Nature Research

Trondheim, Norway

2018

  • Helping in the writing of a report for the EU Parliament
  • Analyzing depredation data from European country

Research Assistant

Norwegian Institute for Nature Research

Trondheim, Norway

2017

  • Use of text data mining and classification methods to analyze environmental legislation

Teaching Experience

During my PhD I gave courses in spatial data analysis and more quantitative methods

Quantitative methods

NTNU’s Department of Geography

Trondheim, Norway

Current - 2018

  • I built a website to make all lectures and exercises open access
  • Teaching the use of R programming, regression techniques & data visualization
  • Master level class

GIS Tools for climate change studies

NTNU’s Department of Geography

Trondheim, Norway

Current - 2018

  • TA and lectured
  • Advanced GIS analysis to study climate related problems
  • Master level class

Introduction to GIS & Quantitative methods

NTNU’s Department of Geography

Trondheim, Norway

Current - 2018

  • TA and lectured
  • Introduction to programming in R and basic statistical techniques
  • Bachelor level class

Selected Scientific Communication Writing

I publish articles for a more general audience to explain complex concepts

Fitting point process models in R

Towards Data Science

N/A

2020

  • Tutorial on analysing spatial patterns in R using Bayesian methods

Understanding point process models

Towards Data Science

N/A

2020

  • Tutorial on analysing spatial patterns in R using Bayesian methods

The contribution of hunters to monitoring biodiversity in Europe

European Federation for Hunting and Conservation

N/A

2020

  • Short description of our paper Hunters as Citizen Scientists

Can Humans and Wild Ungulates Live Together in a European Landscape?

Ecology For the Masses

N/A

2020

  • Short description of our paper on the challenges and opportunities of living with wild ungulates

Inspiring optimism: note from the Conservation Optimism Summit

Ecology For the Masses

N/A

2019

  • Short description of my contribution to the conference Conservation Optimism

Selected Publications

Hunters as citizen scientists: Contributions to biodiversity monitoring in Europe.

Global Ecology and Conservation

N/A

2020

  • Cretois, B., Linnell, J. D., Grainger, M., Nilsen, E. B., & Rød, J. K.
  • We assessed the means by which hunters contribute to biodiversity monitoring

The challenges and opportunities of coexisting with wild ungulates in the human-dominated landscapes of Europe’s Anthropocene.

Biological Conservation

N/A

2020

  • Linnell, J. D., Cretois, B. (co-first authorship), Nilsen, E. B., Rolandsen, C. M., Solberg, E. J., Veiberg, V., … & Kaltenborn, B.
  • We summarized and analyzed data on species distribution, ungulates-car collisions and hunting

Accounting for spatial varying sampling effort due to accessibility in Citizen Science data: A case study of moose in Norway.

Spatial Statistics

N/A

2020

  • Sicacha-Parada, J., Steinsland, I., Cretois, B., & Borgelt, J.
  • We attempted to correct for biases in Citizen Science data

What form of human-wildlife coexistence is mandated by legislation? A comparative analysis of international and national instruments

Biodiversity and Conservation

N/A

2019

  • Cretois, B., Linnell, J. D., Kaltenborn, B. P., & Trouwborst, A.
  • We used text mining and clustering algorithms

Research for AGRI Committee-The Revival of Wolves and Other Large Predators and Its Impact on Farmers and Their Livelihood in Rural Regions of Europe

Report for the European Parliament

N/A

2018

  • Linnell, J. D., & Cretois, B.
  • We analyzed depredation data and communicated in a simple way for policy-makers

Selected Talks

The state of uncertainty quantification and reporting in Ecology

annual meeting of the British Ecological Society

online

2020

  • Simmonds. E, Peprah Adjei. K, Cretois. B, Gonzalez-Gil. R, Laverick. J, Mandeville. C, Sicacha Parada. J, Skarstein. E. S, van der Veen. B, O’Hara. B
  • We reviewed how uncertainty is reported in ecological studies

Conceptual insights on what presence means

NTNU’s Department of Geography

Trondheim, Norway

2020

  • Cretois, B.
  • My talk about the meaning of “presence” in ecology and geography

Coexisting with large mammals in the human-dominated landscape of Europe’s Anthropocene.

4th Conference of the Nordic Society Oikos

Reykjavik, Iceland

2020

  • Cretois, B.

Living with success with wild large mammals in Europe’s anthropogenic landscape

Conservation Optimism Summit

Oxford, UK

2019

  • Cretois, B.